Colonnade van de San Lorenzo te Rome 1704

This anonymous print captures the colonnade of San Lorenzo in Rome, immortalizing the sacred space through the stark lines of engraving. Dominating the scene is the colonnade itself, its pillars echoing the architectural aspirations of antiquity, while the crucifix underscores the site’s Christian transformation. Arches, like those framing the colonnade, have historically signified transitions, portals between worlds. Think of triumphal arches of emperors and the sacred arches in temples. Here, the arch is both a structural element and a symbolic threshold. Notice the small crucifix on the side of the building: such iconography speaks to humanity's enduring need for symbols of suffering and redemption. From ancient mystery religions to the Christian narrative, the image of sacrifice resonates deeply within our collective psyche, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings across historical contexts.